EMBRAER PERFORMS FIRST METAL CUT FOR LEGACY 500 JET
Aircraft maiden flight is on schedule for the second half of 2011
São José dos Campos, April 20, 2010 – Embraer performed the first metal cut, yesterday, for the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 programs. This manufactured part belongs to the first Legacy 500 prototype aircraft. The event took place at the Company’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The Legacy 500 is on schedule to take its maiden flight in the second half of 2011.
“This first metal cut for the Legacy 500
executive jet is an important milestone in
the program’s progress,” said Luís Carlos
Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice
President, Executive Jets. “We are solidly
committed to delivering revolutionary jets
that provide best-in-class performance and
comfort. The Legacy 450 and Legacy 500
are the only airplanes in their categories to
offer a full fly-by-wire system and a standup
flat-floor cabin.”
This first component manufactured by Embraer is part of the forward fuselage, on which the
radome, radar, and glide slope antenna are attached. It was milled from a plate of aluminum alloy by a five-axis high-speed machine. The process was fully integrated with the digital mock-up, from which the design data were extracted and converted into a numeric control program that was then loaded into the machine. The surface of the part was also treated and was checked with a coordinate-measuring machine before moving on to the assembly process.
“Designed with the latest CATIA engineering software (V5), the Legacy 500 program benefits
from the intensive use of digital manufacturing tools for the production of metallic and
composite parts, as well as assembly simulations,” said Artur Coutinho, Embraer’s COO.
The main structure of the jets will be built from aluminum alloy, with a substantial content of
composite materials. In the production process, there will be a considerable increase in the use
of robots, and TWI friction stir welding technology will be used for the first time at Embraer
in a production aircraft.
The Company will adopt a multi-site industrial strategy for the production of parts and major
structures of the new jets. Sonaca, Alestis, Ducommun, and SLCA are key structural
suppliers. The final assembly, as well as completion and painting will be done at the São José
dos Campos plant.
The midlight Legacy 450 and midsize
Legacy 500 design concepts were
presented on September 2007, during a
press conference at the 60th National
Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
Annual Meeting & Convention, in
Atlanta, Georgia, in the U.S. Embraer’s
Board formally approved the development
programs six months later, and they were
commercially launched at the European
Business Aviation Conference and
Exhibition (EBACE), in May 2008, in
Geneva, Switzerland. Today, over 650
Embraer employees are fully engaged in
the development of these two new jets.
About the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 executive jets
The midlight Legacy 450 and midsize Legacy 500 set new paradigms in their respective
executive jet categories. Their interiors were designed in partnership with BMW Group
DesignworksUSA, and offer unequaled comfort and style. These aircraft will have the largest
cabin and the best acoustical insulation in their classes. A flat-floor stand-up (1.82-meter, or
6-foot) cabin, excellent pressurization, and vacuum lavatories are other highlights of the jets,
complementing their superior performance and low operating costs.
The new-generation Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion™ avionics system will provide
extensive situational awareness with a highly intuitive interface. Honeywell’s HTF7500E
state-of-the-art engines incorporate the latest technologies for meeting performance
requirements with improved efficiency, in terms of fuel consumption, facilitated maintenance,
low operating costs, and reduced noise and pollution emissions, thus lessening their
environmental impact. The jets will be the fastest in their categories and the only ones
equipped with cutting-edge fly-by-wire electronic flight controls that increase operating safety
and passenger comfort, while reducing pilot workload and fuel consumption.
The midlight Legacy 450 is designed to carry up to nine passengers. Its range will be 2,300
nautical miles (4,260 km) with four passengers, or 2,200 nautical miles (4,070 km) with eight
passengers, both including NBAA IFR fuel reserves, meaning the jet will be able to fly
nonstop from London to Moscow (Russia) or Rabat (Morocco); from Delhi (India) to Dubai
or Hong Kong; or from Jakarta (Indonesia) to Calcutta (India).
The midsize Legacy 500 will carry up to twelve passengers. It is designed for a range of 3,000
nautical miles (5,560 km) with four passengers, or 2,800 nautical miles (5,190 km) with eight
passengers, both including NBAA IFR fuel reserves. These characteristics will allow customers to
fly from New York to Los Angeles, in the U.S.; or from Moscow (Russia) to Mumbai (India). For
more information on Embraer Executive Jets, visit www.EmbraerExecutiveJets.com.
Source: EMBRAER
